Wood-Fired vs Gas Pizza Ovens: What’s the Actual Difference?

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So you’re keen on a backyard pizza oven—but do you go old-school with wood, or crack a gas line and make life easy?

Here’s what really matters when choosing between wood-fired and gas pizza ovens—without the marketing fluff.

 

Flavour – Wood Wins (But Not Everyone Cares)

Wood-fired ovens give you that slight smoky edge, with blistered crusts and just the right bit of char.
Gas ovens are clean and consistent, but they don’t bring the smoke.

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If you care about pizza tasting like it came out of a traditional Italian joint, wood is your mate.

 

Heating Time – Gas is Quicker

Gas ovens heat up in 15–20 minutes tops.
Wood-fired ovens can take 45 minutes or more, depending on the build and how you light it.

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Not keen on standing around nursing a fire? Go gas.

 

Heat Control – Gas is Easy, Wood is… a Hobby

Gas ovens have dial control. You set it, and it holds.
With woodfired pizza ovens, you’ll be shuffling coals, adding logs, and hoping the temp behaves.

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Love the process? Wood’s fun. Hate mucking around? Gas all the way.

 

Maintenance – Gas is Tidy, Wood is Messy (But Worth It)

Wood = ash. Ash = cleaning.
Gas = no ash, no mess.

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But the ash is where the charm is, right? Maybe.

 

Setup & Cost – Depends on Your Backyard

Wood-fired ovens tend to be bulkier, heavier and cost more upfront.
Gas ovens are usually lighter, more portable, and cheaper—especially the smaller models.

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Renting? Small yard? Stick to gas or portable models. Got the space and cash? Wood-fired all the way.

 

Verdict – Which One’s Right for You?

Go wood-fired if you:
✅ Love smoky, authentic flavour
✅ Don’t mind longer cook times
✅ Enjoy the process of managing a fire

Go gas if you:
✅ Want pizza fast
✅ Prefer set-and-forget cooking
✅ Don’t want to clean up ash on a Sunday arvo

 

Where to Buy a Quality Pizza Oven in Australia?

No matter how you like your pizza—smoky and rustic or fast and clean—you’ll find a proper setup at BBQ Spit Rotisseries:

✅ Wood-fired and gas pizza ovens from top brands
✅ Portable, backyard, and dual-fuel options
✅ Australia-wide delivery, great support, and gear that actually lasts

Shop Pizza Ovens Now

 

Final Thoughts – The Real Difference? It’s All in How You Like to Cook

Wood-fired = flavour, tradition, and a bit of a challenge.
Gas = speed, convenience, and cleaner cooking.

There’s no wrong choice—unless you buy a cheap one and hate using it. So go with what suits you, and enjoy it.

Find Your Ideal Pizza Oven Today


 

by: Gerardo Reis